A sports day was held on Apr. 24th at the lawns of Kibbutz Ein HaMifratz. Sports day included races in different categories, netball games, rope pulling and soccer. Approximately 160 youth and staff participated. Thanks to all those who assisted in organizing this fun day.

On 09.05.2016

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On March 24 we held a very happy Purim party. 200 teenagers from all youth centers attended the party, which included activity stations, a hip-hop dance performed by girls from Kiryat-Bialik center, costume contest and a dance party.Many thanks to the Ethiopian National Project for funding the party, to Rafael and bakeries 'Shemo', 'Ariel', 'Greg' and 'Shany' for the donation of refreshments, to Lior and Asi for contribution of falafel balls, to Bank Leumi branch Sabinia for contribution of photo magnets and accessories.We are grateful to all those who contributed to the organization of the party and its success: to Rafael volunteers, who operated during the evening falafel, popcorn and cotton-candy stands, to Dana, youth program coordinator, and, of course, to all our youth instructors.

On 10.04.2016

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We are pleased to announce that as of September 2015 Hiyot operates three more youth centers in the cities of Beit Shean, Afula, and Migdal Haemek (these centers were operated until now by another organization). The centers are operated by Hiyot as a franchisee of the ENP, in the same format as our centers in the Krayot and Nesher.

On 25.10.2015

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During summer vacation, our youth participated in a special, experiential, and enriching summer program, which included activities outside the centers: film and workshop in Tel-Aviv cinematheque, night tour in Jaffa and workshop at "Please Touch" center, trip to wadi Kelach at Mount Carmel, activity of archery at Bethlehem of Galilee, extreme park, bowling, and fun days at Superland amusement park and Meymadion water park. Summer vacation ended with a great party at the swimming pool in kibbutz Ein Hamifratz.

On 25.10.2015

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During summer vacation children of our after-school program participated in a month-long experiential program and enjoyed also outdoor activities: a trip to Naaman River, a play at Haifa theatre, a trip to Tel-Dan Nature Reserve, a visit at the Hecht Museum, and a fun day at Balagan children's amusement park.

On 25.10.2015

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During Sukkot holiday our youth participated in a storytellers festival, which took place at Givatayim theater, thanks to a generous contribution of the IFCJ organization.

On 25.10.2015

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About Us

The absorption of the Ethiopian community within Israeli society has been accompanied by many immeasurable difficulties and hardships. Following their arrival in Israel, most Ethiopian immigrants settled in development towns and low-income neighborhoods in which the rates of unemployment, crime and drug abuse are extremely high. A research study conducted by the Myers-JDC- Brookdale Institute reveals that the school drop-out rate among Ethiopian Israeli students is 2.5 times higher than among veteran Israelis. These research findings indicate that the percentage of at-risk students within the Ethiopian Israeli community is particularly high and that the percentage of students that complete their high school matriculation exams is low.

One of the primary reasons for this situation (especially for the high concentration of Ethiopian immigrants in low-income neighborhoods and towns) is the government's policy toward the Ethiopian Israeli community. The intentions of Israeli society as a whole are positive, but the attitude towards immigrants is paternalistic. Instead of being sensitive to the cultural backgrounds of immigrants and seeking appropriate solutions to their problems, the solutions which are developed usually fit the needs of Israeli society and culture rather than the needs of immigrants.

An additional reason for the current difficulties faced by the Ethiopian community can be traced to the immigrants' sudden transition from a traditional to a western culture. In Ethiopia, families lived a traditional lifestyle, had many children, and most worked in agriculture. In addition, there was a clear delineation of roles both inside and outside of the family realm. Upon arrival in Israel, Ethiopian immigrants were exposed to western culture, which led to many changes and difficulties. Among these difficulties are Ethiopian parents' loss of control over their children as well as their inability to effectively cope with the problems that have arisen within their families as a result of the abrupt cultural transition that they experienced. Many parents, due to their inability to speak Hebrew and their lack of knowledge about western culture, feel insecure. They feel helpless and are unable to help their children with their studies, with acquiring skills or with dealing with the demands of western culture.

In response to the difficult circumstances in which the Ethiopian community finds itself, a group of socially and politically aware Ethiopian Israeli women came together to improve the community's current situation.

Our underlying assumption is that if we do not act now, the situation of the Ethiopian Israeli community will deteriorate even further. This deterioration can transform the current situation from a ticking social time bomb to a phenomenon that will leave permanent scars on Israeli society.